Astros send Francis Martes to minor league camp

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Among the five players Houston sent to minor league camp on Sunday morning was Francis Martes, who manager A.J. Hinch said has "an argument" to be in the Astros' bullpen right now.

"We want him to start," the skipper added, "which is the main reason we wanted to send him out."

Despite being optioned, Martes will start on Saturday against the Red Sox in Fort Myers, Fla. He'll likely begin the season in the Class AAA Fresno starting rotation, too.

"His development has come fast, he got up to the big leagues very quickly (and) got pushed to the bullpen very quickly because of need," Hinch said. "We want to make sure that he's continuing to develop as a starter."

With a changeup Hinch called "very good" throughout spring and a more repeatable delivery, Martes struck out 13 in 9 ⅓ Grapefruit League innings. His final appearance on March 13 lasted 2 ⅓ innings and included five strikeouts.